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PLAYERS ARRIVE IN MONCTON

For the second year in a row, Islanders players and personnel have journeyed north to Moncton, New Brunswick, one of Canada's scenic Maritime provinces, for Training Camp.

Every year, Training Camp brings renewed excitement and anticipation as all 30 NHL teams prepare for the upcoming season. Added enthusiasm has set in for the Islanders as they embark on a new year with a new head coach, one that the players are eager to begin playing for.

"I've heard Scott is pretty demanding, but that's a good thing,” said Kyle Okposo. "His philosophy seems to be great.”

Training Camp is also an opportunity for players to re-connect. Europeans like Frans Nielsen have been spending their time in his native Denmark and had little contact with his teammates, so Camp is a good opportunity to catch up on any new news.

Mike Iggulden and Bill Guerin

"It's good to see all of the guys again," said Nielsen. "Last summer I visited (Jeff Tambellini), but this year I didn't see anyone. I kept in touch with some guys, but it's nice to see everyone."

For many of the veterans like Bill Guerin and Doug Weight—who are not new to the Training Camp routine—each year is a new experience.

"These camps are fun," said Weight as he grabbed his hotel room key. "But it's back to business."

Moncton, more than 700 miles from Long Island, allows for few distractions during this all-important week. Today is a day for reuniting, but tomorrow it's all business again as Head Coach Scott Gordon hopes to create the same chemistry the team has off the ice, on the ice.